Jennifer Affleck tells PEOPLE that while she’s never met her husband’s famous cousin, Ben Affleck, she’s holding out hope
It’s an interesting time to be Jennifer Lynn Affleck.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 25, tells PEOPLE that her married name has always raised eyebrows, but even more so recently following the news of her husband Zac’s cousin Ben Affleck divorcing Jennifer Lopez.
Speaking with PEOPLE about the Hulu series ahead of its Sept. 6 premiere, Jen says that it’s always been “interesting” being Jennifer Affleck, joking she’s the “original.”
“Especially because my name happens to be not only Jen, but Jennifer Lynn Affleck, which is the exact same as JLo. She went from Jennifer Lynn Lopez to Jennifer Lynn Affleck, which is so crazy,” she explains, referencing how the singer took Affleck’s last name when they tied the knot in 2022.
“People are very curious and wondering how we’re related and it’s so funny.”
Of the Good Will Hunting actor and the family connection, Jennifer says, “He’s my husband’s cousin, but we’ve never met him.”
Zac is Ben’s first cousin once removed. His dad, Dave Affleck, is Ben and Casey Affleck’s first cousin.
“Zac’s dad has [met them], when [Ben] was very little,” she adds. “I’m hoping to meet him one day, too!”
During the show’s premiere, Jennifer further addressed her relationship with the Afflecks, telling PEOPLE that Ben and his brother Casey Affleck are more “like distant relatives.”
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That being said, she’d love to know their thoughts on the Hulu series! “Hopefully they’ll tune in and hopefully we can do a meet and greet,” she adds. “They can tell me how the show is.”
Jennifer has no issue poking fun at the familial connection, as seen in a recent TikTok. In the clip, the mom of two gets her hair done at castmate Jessi Ngatikaura’s salon, all while jamming out to Jennifer Lopez’s hit song “Jenny from the Block.”
Jennifer first mentioned Zac’s familial ties to the Gone Girl star on TikTok in September 2022 — shortly after Ben and JLo got married in Vegas and she took the actor’s last name.
“When you thought you were going to be the next JLO. But instead … she stole your name & you’re busting it down to Ms. Rachel,” the TikToker wrote alongside a video of her dancing to “Wheels on the Bus.”
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premieres on Friday, Sept. 6 on Hulu.